Last Olive Bistro ✓

Chapter 16: Surprise

"Did you get a second date?" Rory pressed as we meandered around the grocery store.

I selected fresh fruits, which I liked to freeze and snack on during the stifling summer days: raspberries, strawberries, and grapes

"We didn't mention it but since it went so well, I guess it's bound to happen again?"

"That's it? Geez Clo, I was hoping for more than just dinner, taking you home, and saying goodnight. No kiss? No promise of a second date?" Rory whined.

I shrugged and smirked as I picked up a pack of strawberries, quickly examining them for any bad ones. I didn't tell Rory about the checkbook incident; it wouldn't have changed anything.

"So wait," he continued. "Why are you off again?"

Thinking on my feet was never a strong suit but somehow I got by when the time was right. "They're training two new servers and it would be too much for me to be there."

Rory picked out a loaf of bread, his choice since he was the only one who ate it. Morgan tried to eat 'smart', as she put it, and I could rarely eat fresh food since I wasn't home enough so anything would have spoiled by the time I got to it. He was unphased by my obvious lie.

"Morgan had a date today?" I said, attempting to veer away from the subject of me and Jacob.

"Some guy she met on an app."

"Isn't she scared of who she'll meet? Those apps are dangerous," I said.

He shook his head. "I wouldn't do it, but she's done it so many times before. Remember that Kyle guy?"

"Yeah, the one who showed up at our place? After that you'd think she'd quit," I remarked. Morgan swore she never informed Kyle of our address yet somehow he showed up unannounced. After that, we pleaded with the landlord to change our locks, which he did, with reluctance.

"I'm not as close to her as I was when she first moved in," I mused. "We never get to hang out."

"You're both working all the time," Rory pointed out. His voice was defeated. "I'm kind of jealous and wish I was."

I dropped a box of instant chicken noodle soup into our cart and then looked him in his eyes. "What do you mean?"

He pushed the cart a little faster towards the checkout. He didn't look at me as he began to load our mini haul onto the belt. A few items in, he grabbed his favorite mixed berry tea and set it on a random shelf.

"Why'd you put it back? Get it," I said.

He ignored me but I tossed it on the belt anyway. Rory couldn't look at me, and I knew it meant something incredibly embarrassing happened to him.

He pulled out his credit card and swiped it before I could interrupt to pay for my half. The bagger kindly put the packed groceries into our cart but Rory hurried off.

"Thank you," I said to the bagger as I rushed past to catch up with Rory. He had gripped all the bags by himself and ditched the cart.

"Rory!" I shouted, but he power walked back in the direction of our apartment.

I finally caught up with him and grabbed his shoulder. He stopped in his tracks and stared straight ahead.

"I lost my job," he blurted out.

I steadied my breathing and he allowed me to take some of the heavy bags off his hands.

"Let's go home and talk," I said.

~ ~ ~

I washed and cut up strawberries with cream and handed a bowl to Rory. I grabbed some for myself too.

"It wasn't your fault. You had no control over the agency extorting money," I said. I wanted to add that most businesses probably do, but it wasn't the time.

"I can't believe they were all frauds. I need representation; it's impossible to go at it solo."

I ate a little bit then replied, "What about starting your own company?"

He glared at me like I had a second head jutting out of my neck. "I'm no one in the industry without a professional agent."

He flipped the strawberries around in the cream and it melted rapidly from the agitation. He glared at the food intensely, as if it were somehow responsible for everything.

"There's a lot of jobs around, Rory."

He sighed. "I feel like I'm losing my dreams."

I placed a hand on his shoulder, more gently than before. "Don't let a single incident ruin all the hard work you've dedicated your life to."

Becoming a professional dancer wasn't a dream most people could accomplish, but Rory was not someone who would ever give up. It wouldn't be a dream if it wasn't difficult. Most accountants probably don't dream of being an accountant; one can simply go to school and become one. Dancing was an actual passion—it couldn't be handed out as a paper degree.

Rory went above and beyond throughout his life, and that wasn't only in his work. He was an exceptional friend who had been there for me when no one else was, especially in my darkest times. My thoughts regarding our finances immediately turned inward. I wanted to help him in any way I could, even if it meant more hours or a second gig.

"Do I dare ask if you want to come work at the restaurant?"

He squirmed dramatically, which caused me to let out a chuckle—our first bit of humor since he broke the news.

"I appreciate it, but let me see where else I can be a lamb to the slaughter."

We laughed wildly and it pleased me to see Rory smiling in a difficult time. He was a worrier, but I knew he was also a warrior.

My phone dinged with a new message; it was from Tony and read, "Handsome was here. He didn't stay when he found out you weren't here."

My chest sunk, like a heavy burden had suddenly plummeted on me—an avalanche of responsibility that I never had to deal with before. I didn't know how to handle a situation like this, so I did the only thing I knew would at least address it head-on—I texted Jacob and told him we could talk over the weekend.

I suggested an early meetup in the park Saturday morning, which was good for him too. I apologized for seeming evasive, but he vouched for me by casually blaming it on a busy life. He said he was just happy to see me again. And he had a surprise.